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The brain is the least understood organ in the body, but it is the vital link to every other part of the body, including our immune system.
It is highly involved in all aspects of our lives.
Among other things, the brain:
- controls all of our biological functions, including breathing, circulation, sleep and growth
- regulates our response to stressful situations
- organizes our motor movements, such as walking, jumping and lifting
- interprets messages we receive through our senses - our sight, hearing, touch and taste
- produces emotions.
"A good night's sleep is critical to brain health."
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Healthy body = healthy brain
Taking good care of our health in general is absolutely essential for keeping our brains healthy, say Dr. Stephen J. Kiraly and Dr. Stephen G. Holliday, co-creators of The Healthy Brain Program. Dr. Kiraly is a geriatric psychiatrist and associate professor of psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and Dr. Holliday is a neuropsychologist.
Through a combination of lecture and workshops the program helps to raise awareness about the brain as an important organ of the body that needs just as much attention and preventive care as our heart, our lungs and our joints.
A healthy brain with lots of connections between the cells can grow and change, even in the presence of disease or injury.
This is really important, say Drs. Kiraly and Holliday, since one in nine Baby Boomers is expected to live into his or her late 90s, and one in 26 Boomers is expected to reach age 100.
Here's what they recommend to keep our brains firing on all cylinders:
- Keep your brain safe.
Wear a helmet for high-impact sports, e.g. skiing and cycling. Be really cautious about contact sports for children, who are particularly vulnerable. Always wear your seatbelt in the car.
Even mild head injuries and concussions can cause mental confusion and depression.
- Nourish your brain.
Your brain needs a constant source of nutrients and energy; so don't starve your grey matter. Eat a balanced and nourishing diet every day that includes high quality protein, complex carbohydrate foods, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
And don't forget to eat a nutritious breakfast daily to fuel optimal brain-power and concentration.
- Exercise your brain.
Build new sights, sounds, experiences and activities into your everyday life. Browse through an art book, take a walk to a new place. Join a book, bridge or walking club. Play solitaire or bingo. Do things you're not already good at. For instance, if you normally read, take a pottery class. Or try sketching to improve your visual and spatial skills.
These activities won't make you smarter, but they will allow you to make the most of the brain power you've already got.
- Avoid excessive alcohol.
Even the mild buzz of social drinking disrupts the brain's metabolism by temporarily shutting down centres responsible for inhibition.
Be aware that the more you drink, the more you compromise your brain.
- Exercise your body.
The brain is the biggest user of blood, claiming about a third of the blood from each beat of the heart.
Regular exercise not only keeps the cardiovascular system healthy, it also improves circulation to the brain, providing lots of oxygen-rich blood for peak performance.
- Get enough sleep.
A good night's sleep is critical to good health, including brain health.
During sleep, memory is consolidated, the immune system goes into high gear and the muscles rest. Even mild disruption of sleep results in a loss of mental efficiency, decreased emotional resilience and reduced resistance to illness.
How do you know if you're getting enough sleep? You wake up in the morning and feel rested and ready to go.
- Manage stress.
The body's response to stress is controlled by the brain, which signals the release of a fight-flight reaction and the release of adrenalin.
Too much stress can leave you feeling pressured, tired, and anxious. Chronic stress can also lead to memory loss.
The best way to deal with stress is as it happens rather than letting it accumulate, notes Dr. Holliday. "Simple meditation will help manage stress.
People tend not to think of stress management as an ongoing activity but life is a series of small stressors that can add up."
By following these seven recommendations, we not only keep our brains healthy, but protect our minds and bodies too.
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This byte was written by Kristin Jenkins, a Toronto writer and editor specializing
in health and medicine, with input to Nourish your brain from 
